The Low-Ranking Civil Servant Wants to Achieve Success-Chapter 113

“...As I thought.”

I examined the scrolls, flipping them this way and that.

Just like my first impression—completely ordinary scrolls. Plain, standard scrolls.

But the types were incredibly diverse.

Almost every scroll I’ve ever used is here.

Defensive scrolls that need at least 271 layers to actually stop anything. Offensive ones that, according to the Empress, hurt less than a mosquito bite. Movement scrolls that were slower than just walking...

These were all the kinds that were literally just lying around even in the old Scroll Department.

“But then... why bother sending me these?”

I looked around, then quickly pulled the curtains shut.

Then I slipped one of the illumination scrolls under my blanket and activated it.

Just to be safe, I used less than a quarter of the standard mana input—just a tiny bit.

An explosion of light burst forth.

“Kkyaaaa!”

Startled, I grabbed every piece of clothing within reach and smothered the glowing scroll.

Thank the stars it was daytime. If this had happened at night, people could’ve seen the flash from miles away.

“What the heck, I could use this thing as a lighthouse.”

Since I’d used such a tiny amount of mana, the light faded quickly.

I sat there panting, stunned.

I don’t know why... but after coughing up blood earlier, I really did get stronger, didn’t I?

It had started with the heating scroll. Something had definitely felt off.

The usually pitiful effects of these scrolls were now being amplified by my mana.

At this rate, there’s nothing in this world I need to fear...

Swallowing nervously, I stared at an offensive scroll.

I was honestly too afraid to test it—who knew how destructive it might be?

I had no idea what exactly had changed in my body. But...

Don’t think of it only as something bad. To someone, it’s a desperately longed-for power.

The Tower Master’s words were unexpectedly comforting.

If he said it wasn’t just bad... maybe that meant it wasn’t dangerously harmful to me.

What the hell... I’ve suddenly become the strongest in the world overnight.

The Tower Master must’ve known I was developing this power. That’s why he’d sent me the scrolls.

But how the hell had he figured it out when I didn’t even know?

Nothing like this ever happened in the original novel. Sure, there was war—but there were no humans suddenly gaining freakish powers like this.

Originally, I was way more worried about the war than the Reformist faction. That changed the moment I realized my father was involved.

Anyway, I need to keep these on me at all times. Really... thank you.

He felt more like a real grandfather to me. My heart warmed a little.

I gently tucked the scrolls I received today—and the “activates when a man confesses” scroll the Tower Master gave me before—into my small handbag.

Namia, I’m about to dive deep into enemy territory to rescue my daughter and son-in-law.

Please... come back safely.

I stared for a long moment at the words “deep into enemy territory.”

I need to pull myself together and do my best too.

The High Priest was surely working hard in his own way right now.

I can more or less guess what method he’ll use. Probably the same one they tried on Jaden.

In the original story, Jaden began to suspect the temple and went to confront the High Priest himself.

He found no evidence, and on his way back, a cave-in nearly killed him.

The schemers behind it believed he didn’t have any special powers, so they tried to bury him alive.

But he used a special ability to barely escape.

Similarly, Kiaros had once said something that stuck with me:

“I was supposed to see you off on your final day in the palace, but I’ll have to cancel.”

Like with the cave collapse, they were probably planning to bring down the chapel when Kiaros visited.

Even with his physical prowess, in a blackout period he’d never survive that kind of large-scale accident.

Which made it perfect to frame as an accidental death.

Since they already had a separate plan to kill Kiaros, it was obvious he wouldn’t fall for any trap I laid out.

Then I’ll just have to make sure they can’t use that method at all.

So I needed to force them into falling for my trap instead.

Would it be possible to borrow one bomb and Kibon Altess for tonight?

I picked up my quill and began writing a letter to Kiaros.

I plan to damage the palace chapel. Just a little. Please send something suitable with Kibon.

***

Late at night, beneath a full moon.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

The man at the door was Kibon, carrying a small box of explosives.

He blinked at me, a little taken aback at the sight of me wearing a form-fitting dress and leather shoes that were easier to move in.

“You should take off your coat too. We’re doing this in secret, after all.”

“It’s November...”

“I’ll give you a heating scroll.”

I activated one with just the tiniest trace of mana.

I knew better than to use the full dose—I'd end up drenched in sweat again.

“Let’s move.”

I grinned as the scroll warmed up in my hand.

“To the chapel.”

And just like that, Kibon and I slipped out of the room, lightly dressed, crossing the garden in silence.

The Imperial Palace might’ve been full of workers, but past midnight, the halls were deserted.

It felt strange. freēnovelkiss.com

As if Kibon and I were the only two people left in this beautiful palace garden.

After a moment of hesitation, Kibon quietly asked,

“...Why the chapel?”

“If there’s a group with dark intentions, you throw them off by destroying their home base first, don’t you think?”

There were about five or six other priests staying in the palace temple besides the High Priest.

“They’ll panic. And then, they'll make a mistake.”

We arrived at the small temple building.

It was made up of two parts: the main chapel and a residence. The place was completely silent—everyone was clearly asleep.

Looking around, I pointed to a # Nоvеlight # small storage shed next to the chapel.

It was a cramped space used for garden supplies like seeds and tools.

“The moment the bomb goes off, people will rush here. We won’t have time to run, so we’ll need to hide there right away.”

“Where exactly are you placing the bomb?”

“Anywhere on the residence wall. We don’t need anything dramatic.”

In this world, bombs weren’t very effective.

At best, they’d chip a small section of wall.

I looked into Kibon’s confused eyes and added,

“It just needs to be enough for Construction Department officials to come inspect the area tomorrow.”

They were probably rigging the structure to collapse from the inside—slowly weakening it so it’d fall apart with the slightest push.

So I’ll just cause a mini accident first.

Even though it was a temple, it was still part of the palace buildings.

Tonight would pass off easily as “some wall collapsed, no casualties.”

But starting tomorrow, the manual would kick in and the Construction Department would swarm the place with daily inspections.

“You get it, right? Place the bomb near the wall, then come hide over here.”

I pushed Kibon’s back and hurried into the storage shed myself.

He was better at physical stuff than me, so it made sense for him to handle the placement.

But then...

Hm?

As I wedged myself in between gardening tools, I realized something with alarm.

It’s smaller than I thought.

I expected a spacious shed, but it was cluttered! There was barely room for the two of us. The door creaked open.

“Coming in—mm.”

Kibon, having quickly placed the bomb by the residence wall, blinked at the cramped space, looking slightly baffled.

He must’ve realized it too—there was barely any room.

But before we could think about it further—BOOM!

The bomb went off with a sharp bang.

“Get in here!”

I whispered frantically, grabbing his arm and yanking him inside, slamming the door shut.

In that tight little space, our bodies were pressed together.